Sensory overload. It’s one of a garden’s most enchanting promises. And, indeed, it’s what likely contributes to a garden’s universal appeal. The vibrant colors, the delicate fragrances, the varied textures and wonderful flavors all stimulate the senses. I try to reflect each of these aspects in my small outdoor space. Here’s how I’ll introduce them:

Color: My palette — which plays off my interior color scheme — consists of yellows, greens, blues and oranges. I’m using some selections that have performed well for me in the past as a base, and trying out a few new things, as well. Petunia is low-maintenance and reliable; I’ve picked one that is technically white, but the yellow throat results in sort of a light, lemon-chiffon effect. Lisianthus provides big, beautiful blooms, and this year’s mix has dark bluish-purple, pale yellow and light green colors. A Poppy with a stalk sturdy enough to withstand Chicago’s winds will help add the red-orange zing I’m after.

Texture: My golden-colored Garden Sunflower is super plush — a positively visual texture. A new addition is the heirloom Bells of Ireland, which is a lime colored upright with sort of a clustered honeycomb look and feel (I’m attempting it from seed, so, fingers crossed…).

Fragrance: In a small space like mine I pass on the heavier scents in favor of light subtle ones: think Lavender, which I’ve ordered in plant form since a previous attempt to grow it from seed was unsuccessful. The delicately scented Moonflower, however, is another story. I drop the seeds into small pots — along with Morning Glory — set around the perimeter of my garden and in no time it snakes its way up my balcony rails. (Yes, it’s white, but it only blooms at night, and my clear net lights shining beneath give it a faint yellow glow.)

Taste: I cultivate an herb garden every season that usually includes Mint, Cilantro, Thyme, Dill, Tarragon, Rosemary and Sage in boxes and dedicate two large pots to Basil (I enjoy gifting my friends with pesto). I also love long, trailing Nasturtium, which not only provides drama but is edible, too. Marigold (I’m testing out a big red-orange one this year) and Pansy (I ordered a ruffled variety) also are edible and great for decorating cakes and cupcakes. I’ve grown Jalapeno for the last two seasons, and this year I ordered seeds for a yellow version instead of the usual green. (Besides being fragrant, Lavender does double-duty in the kitchen.) And, as you can see in the site’s masthead photo above, my cat always gets his own pot of grass to munch on.

Avis, you know I’m not usually a tender of living things (except myself), but as a passionate foodie, I can TOTALLY get into the concept of windowsill gardening for herbs! In fact, I’d forgotten that I have successfully grown basil and cilantro inside my 16th floor condo window. So despite my lack of outdoor space, I can still have fragrant basil to toss into a steaming dish of pasta or cilantro to sprinkle on chorizo tacos (about the only two dishes I ever make at home). Thanks for the inspiration — and the reminder — to pick up some plants and get growing (and eating)!

Thank you for responding to both of my images and directing me here. I live in the country and I have a whole lot of space, but the water level is high and the yard collects and retains a lot of water. And since I just moved here about 3 years ago, I’m still just beginning to plant. I never heard of Lisianthus; I’ll have to look it up. I’m always looking for large blossoms… it takes too many to fill up a vase for still life photos. I’ve never eaten any flowers… I still contemplate trying out the day lilies. I have a lot of peppermint growing and I planted some lemon mint 2 years ago.
I like blues, yellow, and orange in color schemes. Oh, by the way I get most of my seeds from a place called Wildseed Farms at http://www.wildseedfarms.com/ You can get seeds in bulk — a packet, ounce, l/4 lb, or 1 pound. They give you a lot of information about the flowers. (It’s surprising how many flower seeds can be in an ounce!)

Who And Why

I'm Avis, an editor and writer who's returned to her Florida roots after years spent in Chicago. ........................................................
I grew up in Florida with a wide, grass-carpeted backyard. Still, I didn't become acquainted with the concept of "garden" or the quiet rapture found therein until several years ago. Inspired in part by the planters I'd seen attached to the wrought iron railings of apartments on the bustling city streets of Paris and in part by Chicago's magnificent median divides, I decided to try a few flower boxes on the balcony of my Chicago condo. My complete lack of knowledge was offset by the blessing of a southern exposure and, in that first season, the gift of consistent rain in the days after my plants were set out. I pressed my luck and threw a few seeds in a pot and was soon rewarded with what I gleefully dubbed "basil trees." I was hooked!
So now I'm back in Florida and I'll be trying my hand at cultivating an urban garden under the sweltering Zone 9 sun, remaining ever mindful of just how much rapture gardens cultivate in me. I hope you'll be in league with me on this new gardening journey! .........................................................

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